Unsure where to apply in regards to their entry requirements

Hi guys, I'm predicted A*AA for A2 in Psychology, Sociology and Business respectively however I'm not sure which 5 unis to apply to in regards to entry requirements. I got AAB at AS however if I put the work in I feel I can achieve what I'm predicted but at the same time I have the doubt in my mind something could go wrong or I don't end up working as much as I perhaps could because I've always had a lazy attitude in everything I do. Due to this I'm not sure how I should apply. I'm thinking UCL(A*AA-AAA), Durham(AAA) and Manchester(AAA) then an AAB and ABB/BBB but if I dont get offers from UCL/Durham/Manchester I'm left with just the AAB and ABB/BBB which I probably won't be as enthusiastic or happy about. This therefore in a sense encourages to be more aspirational and maybe apply to Bath or somewhere which is AAA for my course(Psychology).

Basically, am I to play it safe and get offers from unis I wouldn't be so enthusiastic going to or being aspirational but risking not get offers or getting offers but then not getting the grades and so not gettign in anywhere unless I went through clearing and ended up somewhere I'd feel even less enthusiastic about.

Any advice appreciated, thankyou

Thanks for the responses guys, pretty sure I'll do UCL/Manc/Durham then still unsure of my other 2 but they'll be AAB/ABB ones e.g. York has that as their requirement. What sort of things will they consider when deciding if an offer will be AAB or ABB? cheers

Your personal statement, reference, and generally what kind of impression you make.

Surrey is a good insurance as it offers a placement year which can be an awfully useful thing to have.

Thanks for the quick response, this is probably a silly question but my brains fried with all sorts of info/questions atm, the more impressive your statement reference and such the more likely they will lower the offer to ABB? Also cheers for the heads up on Surrey will definitely consider it.

I presume so, I believe a lower offer would mean they want you more, therefore you would have impressed them more? Im not entirely sure but that seems logical.

No worries, ask as much as you want and I'll try to help, I found the whole process extremely confusing myself so am glad to have got it sorted now!

Thanks for the quick response, this is probably a silly question but my brains fried with all sorts of info/questions atm, the more impressive your statement reference and such the more likely they will lower the offer to ABB? Also cheers for the heads up on Surrey will definitely consider it.

No. The PS will be what sets you apart from all the other applicants offering high grades, and gets you the offer at all.

Psychology is one of the more competitive subjects, and high predictions are not a guarantee of offers; those you do get are likely to match or even exceed the typical offer quoted in the prospectus. Unis do sometimes reduce their typical offer in individual cases but in a subject like psychology where the pressure on places is high it's unlikely.

See link in my sig to 'How to Avoid Getting 5 Rejections'.

I dont think he means getting an offer lower than they typical, hes asking about how to get the lower end of the typical offer as York's is AAB-ABB and he was wondering what sort of candidate would recieve the lower one.

Someone from a school with low average achievement. Someone with an exceptional PS/reference. Unless they qualify under one or other of these, applicants should always assume that their offer - if they get one - will be at the higher end of any range, especially now - and, therefore, that their predictions should at least match this.